Moist towelette packaging

ABSTRACT

The new invention allows for easy retrieval of fall backs and eases the initial threading process upon initial opening/use of the package. Threading is done without removing the cap. Several of the embodiments allow refills to be inserted into the canister without removing the lid/cap. The layout of the dispensing system and the geometry and shape of the dispensing orifice/aperture minimize and mitigate product fall backs. The new invention improves performance of the orifices/apertures through unique geometry and shape as well as using different materials from existing products or the combination of multiple materials. Varying orifice diameter, co-molded density and stiffness or geometry of the actual lobes defining the dispensing aperture allows the precise amount of friction to be created in the dispensing opening for selectively grabbing or releasing the towelette, thereby tearing the towelette connecting perforations at just the right time.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/453,553 filed Mar. 12, 2003, U.S. Provisional Application No.60/457,937 filed Mar. 28, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/490,938 filed Jul. 30, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Moist towelettes are commonly sold and used in consumer product markets.Many methods exist for packaging moist towelettes. However, there are nopackages that have adequate dispensing mechanisms. Wipes and moisttowelettes are packaged as center dispensing rolls in cylindricalcontainers or as stacks of individual horizontal towelettes.

Many existing packaging systems for moist towelettes either have nodispensing mechanism, or if there is a dispensing mechanism, then it hastoo many limitations that inhibit functionality and ease of use.

Current packages attempt to let customers remove one towelette at atime. Normally, the subsequent wipe in a package hangs out from thepackage for easy grasping. However, should the next wipe fall backthrough the orifice in the cap and into the canister, current technologyrequires the user to pull the cap off. This is often very difficult todo. The consumer must then re-thread the wipe through the cap orifice,and then re-apply the cap to the canister for further single towelettedispensing. This is the same activity that a consumer must go throughfor first dispense of the package also.

When using the moist towelettes, hands of a user often becomecontaminated with substances. Reopening the container, then finding andleading an end of a towelette through a dispensing orifice are difficultwhen the dispensing interruption occurs before completing a cleaningoperation.

Needs exist for improved methods for dispensing and storing moisttowelettes that allows for easy dispensing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new invention is intended to allow for easy retrieval of“fallbacks”, as well as easing the initial “threading” process one mustgo through upon initial opening/use of the package. The new inventionallows threading to be done without removing the cap. Also, several ofthe new embodiments allow refills to be inserted into the canisterwithout removing the lid/cap. The layout of the dispensing system andthe geometry and shape of the dispensing orifice/aperture minimize andmitigate product fallbacks.

The new invention improves performance of the orifices/apertures throughunique geometry and shape as well as using different materials fromexisting products, or the combination of multiple materials, such ashard thermoplastic molded substrate surrounding the orifice structure,with co-molded rubber-like material filling the void or aperture center.Varying orifice diameter, co-molded density and stiffness or geometry ofthe actual lobes defining the dispensing aperture allow the preciseamount of friction to be created in the dispensing opening forselectively grabbing or releasing the towelette, thereby tearingtowelette connection perforations at just the right time. That maximizesdispensing performance, and does not necessarily require the user topull the towelettes up at an angle, as is suggested by currentalternative dispensers, to ensure that the user removes only onetowelette at a time.

These and further and other objects and features of the invention areapparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing writtenspecification, with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a locking trap door embodiment in a toweletteaccess position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a locking trap door embodiment in a towelettedispensing position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a multiple lobe orifice.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a dual lid.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the dual lid shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a closed cross-sectional elevation of the dual lid shown inFIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dual lid shown in FIGS. 6-8.

FIG. 10 is an opened perspective view of the dual lid shown in FIGS.6-9.

FIG. 11 shows adjusting the inner lid in a perspective view of the duallid shown in FIGS. 6-10.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a towelette access cover and pop-up orifice.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional elevation of the towelette access cover andpop-up orifice of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an erected cross-sectional elevation of the towelette accesscover and pop-up orifice of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional elevation of a telescoping dispenserorifice for towelettes in an extended dispensing position.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional elevation of a telescoping dispenserorifice for towelettes in a closed position.

FIG. 17 is a plan view elevation of a dispensing cap thermoplasticelastomer dispenser orifice for towelettes.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing cap shown in FIG.17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a dispensing cap.

FIGS. 20-24 are plan view details of different lobe designs fortowelette dispensing orifices in towelette dispenser caps.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show slitted soft thermoplastic elastomer layers belowthe dispensing orifice and thermoplastic lobes.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a single trap door embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a top view of an open dual trap door embodiment with anorifice on one side.

FIG. 29 is a side view of an open dual trap door embodiment with anorifice on one side.

FIG. 30 is a top view of a closed dual trap door embodiment with anorifice on one side.

FIG. 31 is a side view of a closed dual trap door embodiment with anorifice on one side.

FIG. 32 is a top view of a single trap door embodiment with a wideopening.

FIG. 33 is a side view of a single trap door embodiment with a wideopening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a trap door embodiment of the invention isgenerally referred to by the numeral 1. A container 3 has an open upperend 5 that is configured to receive a complementary lower end 7 of thecylindrical wall 9 of the dispenser 1. The dispensing top 11 has twomirror-imaged portions 13 pivoted on living hinges 15. Each half 13 hasa dish shape with product-engaging lobes 17 formed between generallyradially extending recesses 19. Elongated recesses 21 are formed alongthe parting line 23 of the two dish-shaped halves 13. A cover 25 with alifting tab 27 is joined with the top about a living hinge 29. The tab27 lies within a recess 31 when closed.

In one embodiment, an inward-extending tab 33 cooperates with a rim 35on the top of the container and extends between two living hinges 37 toassist in holding the cover 25 fully opened or fully closed. Door lockstops 39 extend inward from the central opening 41 to prevent upwardtravel of the dish-shaped halves 13. When accessing the inner towelette43 in a roll 44, an index finger and a thumb push inward on thedish-shaped halves 13, which rotate around the living hinges 15 to allowpinching of the top of the innermost towelette 43, and lifting thetowelette upward. The lobes 17 and radial recesses 19 and 21 allow theinnermost towelette 43 to be pulled through the central opening 45.

Towelettes in the roll 44 are joined together by four or five smallbridges. As the next adjacent towelette passes through the centralopening 45, the lobes 17 and radial recesses 19 grip and slow the nextadjacent towelette while the bridges rupture by continued pulling of thefirst towelette. The result is that the second towelette protrudesslightly through the opening 45 so that it may be gripped between athumb and index finger when the next towelette is desired. Between uses,the cover 25 is snapped into closed position, retaining the moisture inthe towelettes.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate form of the orifice 45 in which the radialrecesses 19 and 21 in the halves 13 are of equal size, making the lobes17 of equal size.

FIGS. 6-8 show a dual lid embodiment. The lower portion 7 of thecylindrical wall 9 is configured for snapping onto the moist towelettecontainer. When the container is square or rectangular, the wall 9 andthe lower end attachment are square or rectangular. The main portion 53has a central opening 55 with a center support lobe 57, which extendsinto the opening. An orifice-holding lid 59 has a central portion 61with lobes 17 separated by radial recesses 19, and a relatively largerecess 63 with a radial split 65 used to thread the towelette. A throat67 has an outward-extending rim 69, which snaps between aninward-extending rim 71 in the central portion 53. A tab 73 is providedto lift the orifice lid 59 around living hinge 75 if required. The split65 and the large opening 63 align over the center support lobe 57, whichprovides the fifth lobe which cooperates with the four other lobes 17,forming a towel-lifting opening 45 in the center. When it is necessaryto reach the innermost towelette 43, pressing inward on the lobe 17 nearthe central lobe 57 allows the split 65 to open for reaching theinnermost towelette 43. Pulling that towelette upward through theopening 45 and continuing the upward pulling of the towelette draws thenext adjacent towelette partially through the opening until thetowelette bridges are ruptured. The result is that the next adjacenttowelette is partially extended through the opening 45, allowing thenext towelette to be conveniently removed through the orifice, andholding the end of the succeeding towelette in the orifice. A cover 25similar to the cover shown in FIGS. 1-4 is connected to the containerend with a living hinge 29. A tab 27 aids in opening the cover. A rib 77extends around an outside of the throat 78 of the cover for cooperatingwith an inward-extending lip 79 on the throat of the orifice-holding lid59.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are perspective views of the container end 51 withthe cover 25 raised and the orifice holder 59 closed.

FIG. 10 shows an orifice holder 59 raised with the innermost towelette43 being pulled from the towelette roll 44.

The orifice holder is shown with the slit 65 separated to aid in thelateral placement of the towelette 43 through the orifice 45.

FIG. 11 shows the closing of the orifice holder 59 while partiallypulling the first towelette 43 through the orifice 45.

FIGS. 12-14 show a cap 81 of the invention with a pop-up orifice. Thecontainer 3 has an upper end 5 with a shape that is gripped by theshaped lower end 7 of the wall 9. A cover 25 is connected to the wall 9by a living hinge 29. The cover has parallel V-shaped receiver brackets83 on its inner surface, which receive outward-extending pins 85 ondetachable hinge 87 at the outer end of the hinge plate 89. Livinghinges 91 connect the hinge plate 89 to the orifice plate 93, which isin turn connected by a living hinge 95 to the top of the container. Asthe container is packaged, the hinge plate 89 may be folded around theliving hinge 91 inward in the container. The orifice plate 93 and hingeplate 89 are lifted around the living hinge 95, and the innermosttowelette 43 from the roll 44 is started through the orifice 45. Thenthe hinge pins 85 are connected to the V-shaped receivers 83 on thecover 25, as shown in FIG. 14. The drawing of the towelette upwardthrough the orifice 43 draws the next connected towelette from the innersurface of the roll 44 until the bridges connecting the towelette arefractured into the resistance of the orifice 45. The cover 25 is closed,folding the hinge plate 89 around the living hinge 91 on top of theorifice plate 93 as the cover is closed, as shown in dashed lines inFIG. 13. An inner lip 76 on the throat 78 of the cover snaps around anoutward projection 97 at the inner portion of the orifice holder plate99, which holds the living hinge 95 in the cap 81.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a cap 101 with a telescoping member 103, which fitsthrough a central opening 105 in a central recess 107. A rim 109 at thebottom of the member 103 prevents or retards withdrawal of the member103 through the central opening 105 in the recess 107. A funnel-shapedguide 111 cooperates with the sloped wall of the rim 109 to permitassembly of the telescoping member in the central opening 105. Thesliding member has a central opening 113 that leads to an enlargedorifice 115, through which a lead towelette is pulled from the center ofthe roll 44. A top 117 of the sliding member 103 substantially fills thecentral depression 107. A hinged handle 116 extends upward from the top117, and a throat 118 extends downward and has an inward rib 119, whichsnaps over an outer edge of the guide 111 to retain the telescopingmember in inward position, as shown in FIG. 16.

When using the telescoping member, the cap may be removed and theinnermost towelette on the roll 44 may be fed through the centralopening 113 and out through the orifice 115 to start the dispensing.Lifting bail 116 raises the telescoping member 103 and the orifice 115,and makes the innermost towelette available for pulling from theorifice. As the towelette leaves the orifice and pulls the end of thenext towelette through the orifice, increased resistance causes thetowelette bridges to break, leaving the second towelette partiallyexposed for pulling outward through the orifice. Simply pushing in onthe top 117 of the telescoping member 103 closes the container.

One cap 121, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, has an integrally moldedcentral dish 123, which is connected at parting line 125 with a soft,relatively flexible orifice portion 127, which contains the orifice 129.Reaching down through the orifice 129 stretches the orifice and allowsthe user to grasp the innermost towelette on roll 44 and pull thetowelette through the orifice. As the next succeeding towelette beginsto pull through the orifice, the resistance increases and the bridgesbetween the towelettes tear, leaving a short portion of the successivetowelette on top of the orifice. Closing the cover 25 around livinghinge 29 enables the inward-extending rim 76 on throat 78 to engage theoutward extension 126 on the portion 128 of the thermoplastic substrate123, which extends above the shelf 122. A recess 126 permits the liftingof the remote edge 27 of the cover when the cover is closed.

In one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 19, cap 131 has asidewall 9 and an inward extending orifice shelf 133, in which theorifice 45 is formed. A large opening 135 is provided in the cap 131through which the innermost towelette in the underlying roll may begrasped and slid laterally through a slot 137 into the orifice 45. Cover25 is mounted on living hinge 29 to close the cap 131 and the underlyingcontainer.

FIGS. 20-24 show varied orifices and lobe shapes.

FIG. 20 shows an orifice 45 with five lobes 17 and five thin triangularrecesses 19 extending radially from the center of the orifice.

FIG. 21 shows an orifice 45 with six similar lobes 17 spaced betweentriangular shaped recesses 19 leading outward from the center of theorifice.

FIG. 22 shows a circular orifice 145 with four curved lobes 147 betweenfour curved slots 149.

FIG. 23 shows an orifice 45 similar to the orifice shown in FIG. 20,with five lobes 17 and with enlarged radial recesses 19.

FIG. 24 shows an orifice 45 with round laterally touching lobes 17 andcircumferentially enlarged recesses 19.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show an orifice 45 similar to the orifice shown in FIG.20, with five lobes 17 and five triangular radially extending recessslots 19 formed in an orifice thermoplastic shelf 151. Immediatelybeneath the shelf is a TPE layer 153 with radial slits 155, whichcooperate with the orifice 145 to allow passage and encourage grippingof the innermost towelette.

FIG. 27 shows a single trap door embodiment 160 that has an orifice 45formed between the trap door 161 and the stationary part 163 andparticularly between a lobe 165 formed on the stationary part and lobes167 formed on the trap door. The trap door swings inward, around livinghinge 169. Upward travel is limited by lugs 173 on the stationary part163 that overlap sides 171 of the trap door 161.

A central depression 175 formed by depressions 177 and 179 in thestationary part and trap door allow part of the next towelette to remainabove the orifice 45 when the cover is closed.

In one embodiment, the trap door may flip up or down and may be snappedinto its operative position in which the top of a towelette extendsthrough orifice 45.

The embodiment 160, shown in FIG. 27 is similar to the trap door shownin FIGS. 1-4, except that it has only one flip down door instead of two.This single trap door could also flip up as well as down. Thisadditional single door that flips down or up enables the innermosttowelette, from a roll, to be started through the orifice.

The rim 181 on cover 25 tightly fits within opening 183 in the cap 160to seal the container.

Referring to FIGS. 28-31, a dual trap door embodiment of the inventionis generally referred to by the numeral 185. A container 3 has an openupper end 5 that is configured to receive a complementary lower end 7 ofthe cylindrical wall 9 of the dispenser 185. The dispensing top 11 hastwo trap doors 187, 189 pivoted on living hinges 15. One trap door 187has a dish shape with five product-engaging lobes 191 and with enlargedradial recesses 193. The other door 189 does not have anyproduct-engaging regions. An orifice 195 is located completely on onetrap door 187. This trap door 187 has a slit 197 for easy threading of atowelette 43 from a roll 44. Both doors 187, 189 open to allow a user toreach into the container 3 and thread the next towelette 43 through theorifice 195.

A cover 25 with a lifting tab 27 is joined with the top 11 about aliving hinge 29. The tab 27 lies within a recess 31 when closed.

In another dual trap door embodiment, an inward-extending tab 33cooperates with a rim 35 on the top of the container and extends betweentwo living hinges 37 to assist in holding the cover 25 fully opened orfully closed. Door lock stops 39 extend inward from the central opening41 to prevent upward travel of the dish-shaped halves 13. When accessingthe inner towelette 43 in a roll 44, an index finger and a thumb pushinward on the dish-shaped halves 13, which rotate around the livinghinges 15 to allow pinching of the top of the innermost towelette 43,and lifting the towelette upward. The lobes 191 and radial recesses 193,located on only one of the trap doors 187, allow the innermost towelette43 to be pulled through a slit 197 and a central opening 195.

Towelettes in the roll 44 are joined together by four or five smallbridges. As the next adjacent towelette 43 passes through the centralopening 45, the lobes 191 and radial recesses 193 grip and slow the nextadjacent towelette while the bridges rupture by continued pulling of thefirst towelette. The result is that the second towelette protrudesslightly through the opening 195 so that it may be gripped between athumb and index finger when the next towelette is desired. Between uses,the cover 25 is snapped into closed position, retaining the moisture inthe towelettes.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, acap 199 has a sidewall 9 and a single inward extending trap door 201, inwhich an orifice 203 is formed. The trap door 201 is connected to thecontainer via a living hinge 209. The trap door 201 has stiffening ribs211 on the underside of the trap door 201 for added structural support.A large opening 205 is provided in the cap 199 through which theinnermost towelette 43 in the underlying roll 44 may be grasped and slidlaterally through a slot 207 into the orifice 203. The trap door 201opens by pivoting down along the living hinge 209 during toweletteretrieval and snaps back into position with door locks 39 fordispensing. The opening of the trap door 201 allows for easier access tothe roll of towelettes 44. A cover 25 is mounted on a living hinge 29for closing the cap 199 and the underlying container.

While the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may beconstructed without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. Towelette dispenser apparatus comprising: multiple towelettes havingconnections between ends of adjacent individual towelettes, a containerfor holding the multiple towelettes, an open end on the container, a lidconnected to the container positioned over the open end of thecontainer, a cover on the open end for sealing the container, an orificein the lid for passing towelettes out of the container, one or morelobes protruding into the orifice, wherein a first towelette and aleading portion of a subsequent towelette are pulled through theorifice, and the connections between the first towelette and thesubsequent towelette are separated, and wherein a leading portion of thesubsequent towelette remains outside of the lid and secured within theorifice.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprisesa stationary lid and a hinged trap door cooperating with the stationarylid.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the orifice is formed betweenthe trap door and the stationary lid.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the lobes are on the trap door and on the stationary lid andwherein the lobes on the trap door cooperate with the lobes on thestationary lid for holding the leading portion of a towelette.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the trap door is connected to the lid by aliving hinge.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising door lockstops for holding the trap door in a dispensing position.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 2, further comprising a central depression in the lidfor holding the leading portion of a towelette when the cover is closed.8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising lugs for controllingmovement of the trap door.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein theorifice and lobes are located only on the trap door.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9, further comprising a slit from the edge of the trap door tothe orifice.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the trap door is halfof the lid.
 12. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising stiffeningribs on the trap door.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lidcomprises two trap doors.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the twotrap doors are connected to the lid at opposite edges of the lid. 15.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the trap doors are connected to thelid by living hinges.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the orificeand lobes are on a first trap door.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the second trap door has no orifice or lobes.
 18. The apparatusof claim 13, wherein the two trap doors are mirror images.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the orifice is created at theintersection of the two trap doors.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,wherein lobes on each trap door cooperate for holding a leading portionof a towelette.
 21. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising doorlock stops for holding the trap doors in a dispensing position.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is connected to the lid by aliving hinge.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover overliesthe lid when in a closed position.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe lobes pinch the leading portion of a towelette.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the lid comprises a lower lid and an upper lid.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 25, wherein the lower lid is permanently fixed withinthe container and the upper lid is connected to the container by aliving hinge.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the lower lid has alobe extending into an opening.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26, whereinthe upper lid and cover are hinged on opposite sides of the container.29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the lower and upper lids aresealed under the cover, when the apparatus is not in use.
 30. Theapparatus of claim 26, wherein the upper lid has the orifice and lobes.31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein closing the upper lid pinches theleading portion of a towelette between the lobe on the lower lid and thelobes on the upper lid.
 32. The apparatus of claim 26, furthercomprising a split in the upper lid for threading towelettes.
 33. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein a living hinge connects the lid to thecontainer.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a slit inthe lid for threading towelettes.
 35. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising parallel V-shaped brackets on an inner surface of the cover.36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising outward extending pinson a detachable hinge complementary to the parallel V-shaped brackets.37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a hinge plateconnected to an orifice plate by a living hinge and wherein the orificeplate is connected to the container by a living hinge.
 38. The apparatusof claim 37, wherein closing the cover folds the living hinge betweenthe hinge plate and the orifice plate and folds the living hinge inwardtoward the center of the container.
 39. The apparatus of claim 37,wherein opening the cover unfolds the living hinge until the hinge plateand the orifice plate are in the same plane.
 40. The apparatus of claim37, wherein the hinge plate is detachably hinged to the parallelV-shaped brackets via the outward extending pins.
 41. The apparatus ofclaim 37, wherein the orifice and lobes are on the orifice plate. 42.The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the orifice and lobes are on thehinge plate.
 43. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the orifice andlobes are formed at the intersection of the hinge plate and orificeplate.
 44. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises ahole and a telescoping member movable through the hole and wherein theorifice is in the telescoping member for holding the leading portion inthe telescoping member.
 45. The apparatus of claim 44, furthercomprising one or more rims around the telescoping member for preventingthe telescoping member from falling into the container and from beingcompletely extracted from the lid.
 46. The apparatus of claim 44,further comprising a central opening in the telescoping member leadingto the orifice.
 47. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising ahinged handle on an outer end of the telescoping member for moving thetelescoping member.
 48. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising arib for retaining the telescoping member in a fixed position.
 49. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a central molded dish withinthe lid with the orifice within the dish.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49,wherein the dish is made of soft, relatively flexible material.
 51. Theapparatus of claim 49, wherein reaching through the orifice stretchesthe orifice and allows the user to grasp a towelette.
 52. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the orifice is offset from the center of the lid.53. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising a second orifice largeenough for a user to reach into the container and retrieve a towelette.54. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising a slit leading fromthe first orifice to the second orifice for threading a towelette. 55.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orifice and lobes are variousconfigurations.
 56. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orificefurther comprises recesses between the lobes.
 57. The apparatus of claim56, wherein the recesses are triangular.
 58. The apparatus of claim 56,wherein the recesses are rounded.
 59. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe orifice and lobes are curved lobes between curved slots.
 60. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the orifice and lobes are lobes andwherein triangular recesses are formed in an orifice thermoplastic shelfand below the shelf is an elastomer layer with radial slits.
 61. Adispenser for storing and dispensing towelettes, comprising: a containerfor holding multiple towelettes, the container having an open end, adispensing lid attached to the open end of the container, wherein thedispensing lid comprises: a cover that is hingedly attached to the lid,such that the cover engages a portion of the lid to seal the open end ofthe container when the cover is in a closed position, at least onedispensing portion that is hingedly attached to the dispensing lid suchthat the dispensing portion may be pushed inward into the container foraccessing a towelette, an orifice located on the dispensing portion,wherein the orifice is defined by one or more lobes which protrude fromthe dispensing portion and by one or more recesses through thedispensing portion, wherein the lobes and recesses of the orifice engageand separate the towelettes as each towelette is pulled through theorifice of the dispensing lid.
 62. The dispenser of claim 61, whereintwo dispensing portions are provided, the dispensing portions beingmirror-imaged, and the orifice is defined at the intersection of thedispensing portions by lobes and recesses configured on each of saiddispensing portions.
 63. A method for storing and dispensing towelettes,comprising: providing a container of multiple towelettes, the toweletteshaving bridges between adjacent ends of the towelettes, such that thetowelettes are separable along the bridges by supplying a separatingforce; accessing a first towelette using a dispensing lid attached to anopen end of the container, wherein the first towelette is accessed bypushing down on a dispensing portion that is hingedly attached to adispensing lid; pulling a first towelette and a leading portion of asecond towelette through an orifice in the dispensing portion of thedispensing lid, wherein the orifice is defined by one or more lobesprotruding from the dispensing portion and by one or more recessesthrough the dispensing portion; engaging the first and second toweletteswith the lobes and recesses of the orifice; applying a separating forcesufficient to separate and remove the first towelette from the containerand dispensing lid; maintaining the leading portion of the secondtowelette outside of the dispensing portion by securement with the lobesand recesses of the orifice; and closing a cover to seal the dispensinglid and the container, wherein the cover is hingedly attached to thedispensing lid.
 64. Dispenser apparatus for towelettes, comprising aseries of towelettes joined end to end with relative weak bridges, acontainer holding the series, an open end on the container, and atowelette dispenser connected to the open end, the towelette dispenserhaving an opening with restrictions for allowing individual towelettesfrom the series to pass through the opening, the restrictions holding aleading end of a towelette while a preceding towelette is pulled awayfrom the opening for breaking the bridges between the ends of thetowelettes, the towelette dispenser being movable with respect to theopen end of the container for reaching into the container through theopen end and pulling a towelette from the series into the opening. 65.The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the towelette dispenser comprises twoopposing flaps hinged from opposite sides of the open end of thecontainer and having adjacent edges over the container, and wherein theopening comprises partial complementary openings formed in the adjacentedges.
 66. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the series of towelettescomprises a roll of towelettes which are dispensed from a middle of theroll.
 67. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the dispenser comprises acap connected to the open end of the container, at least one hinged flapmovable into the container, and having the opening for moving the flapinward in the container and grasping an end towelette in the series andpulling the end towelette through the opening.
 68. The apparatus ofclaim 67, further comprising a cover hinged on the cap for closing overthe hinged flap and sealing the open end of the container.
 69. Theapparatus of claim 67, wherein the at least one hinged flap comprisesmore than one hinged flap having outer edges hinged on the cap andhaving inner edges in close proximity to each other, and wherein partsof the opening are distributed among the inner edges of the hingedflaps.
 70. The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising a cap connectedto the open end of the container, wherein the dispenser furthercomprises a flap hinged into the cap, and further comprising a coverhinged on the cap for closing over the hinged flap and sealing the openend of the container.
 71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the openingis in the flap and the flap is slit opposite the hinge for threading alead towelette from the series through the slot and into the opening.72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the opening has a central openarea and lobes extending inward from a peripheral area of the openingtoward the central open area, and having an enlarged portion of theopening connected to the slit for receiving the leading towelette. 73.The apparatus of claim 72, further comprising a center support lobeextending from an inner edge of the cap opposite the hinged connectionof the flap for cooperating with and blocking at least a part of theenlarged portion of the opening to hold and permit outward passage of alead towelette.
 74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the flap and thecover are hinged to the cap respectively by first and second livinghinges at spaced positions on the cap.
 75. The apparatus of claim 71,wherein the flap is hinged on a hinge extending within the cap, andfurther comprising a ledge extending inward from an inner edge of thecap opposite the hinge.
 76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the flaprotates on the hinge inward in the container, and wherein the ledgeprevents outward movement of the cap.
 77. The apparatus of claim 71,wherein the cap is removable from the open end of the container andattachable to an open end of another container.
 78. The apparatus ofclaim 71, wherein the cap is removable from the open end of thecontainer for filling the container with a replacement series oftowelettes.